by Maria Bagdasarova | On-Ice Photos by Daphne Backman & Yoriko Suzuki
Competing in their eighth senior season and 11th overall together, Canadians Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac continue to enchant audiences with their unique storytelling on the ice. On 14-19 January 2025, they will participate in the Canadian National Skating Championships in the hope to secure a spot on the country’s team for the World Championships in Boston.
The duo began their 2024/2025 season with a strong start, claiming victory at the Lake Placid International Ice Dance Competition in late July. They followed up with two seventh-place finishes at their Grand Prix events, Skate America and Grand Prix de France. Wrapping up the first half of their season, they earned a fifth-place finish at the ISU Challenger Warsaw Cup in November.
Despite not reaching their desired podium placements in this year’s Grand Prix series, Lauriault & Le Gac maintain a positive outlook, viewing the experience as an opportunity for growth. “We were expecting a lot from this season,” Marie-Jade admitted. “But even though we didn’t meet our goals, we’re proud of the efficient work we did between the two competitions.”
Romain echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of learning from their performances. “We started early this season in Lake Placid and got great feedback. Unfortunately, we left some points on the table at the Grand Prix events, but we’re proud of the preparation and training we’ve done,” he said. For the remainder of the season, the team is focused on refining their programs and achieving consistency. “It’s about understanding why certain levels weren’t achieved and making sure we don’t leave any points behind,” Marie-Jade explained.
Lauriault & Le Gac are known for their carefully crafted programs with artistic storytelling. This season, their rhythm dance draws inspiration from the 1960s number called “The Rich Man’s Frug” from the musical film “Sweet Charity”. The program incorporates quirky movements, reflecting the vibrant and carefree essence of the era.
“We chose Rich Man’s Frug knowing it would require a lot of work, but also recognizing the fascinating story behind Bob Fosse’s choreography. His style is full of little quirks, and yet it all ties back to the basics of social dance – connecting with someone and dancing together. If you watch the video clip from Sweet Charity, the movements show people enjoying themselves, creating a sense of fun and connection. At the same time, there’s an eccentric edge to the choreography, as if the dancers are a bit arrogant but not taking themselves too seriously. We loved that vibe, and it perfectly captured what social dance should be about: having fun with others and dancing freely without caring what the others think. For us, the goal in the rhythm dance was to reflect that connection and playful, slightly weird energy in our movements,” Marie-Jade explains.
In contrast, their free dance takes audiences to the Wild West, showcasing a cinematic narrative inspired by iconic Western films. From the sheriff to the outlaw, the program juxtaposes the themes of law versus freedom. “Marie-Jade brought up the idea,” Romain revealed. “At first, I wasn’t sure, but as we explored more Western music, it started to come together.”
The program brings together stereotypical Western imagery of a good guy, bad guy, and a sheriff with modern elements. “We used those familiar images as the foundation to create a story with various characters and elements people associate with Westerns. We also wanted to modernize the vibe, especially in how women are portrayed. We wanted the woman to be powerful,” Marie-Jade said, referencing her pantsuit costume and dominant role in some lifts. “In some of the lifts, I’m positioned higher than Romain. These subtle touches allowed us to maintain the Western aesthetic while introducing a fresh perspective.”
Lauriault & Le Gac’s 11-year partnership has been a journey of artistic exploration and pushing the boundaries with their bold choices of characters they bring to the ice. Whether evoking humor in Pink Panther or gothic charm in Corpse Bride, their programs consistently stand out for their creativity. “It’s easier to work by theme,” Marie-Jade explained. “The idea takes form as we develop the program, from costumes to choreography.”
Their creative process begins with music selection. “We start with a four-hour playlist of music,” Marie-Jade explained. “It builds throughout the season, and then we filter it, because some music isn’t made for skating. We also think about the elements – the lifts, spin, and the cues we want when listening.”
Romain added, “We pick music we’ll enjoy the whole year. Sometimes we choose too quickly and realize it’s not right, but when we really like it, we can push through the season.”
Once the music and theme are chosen, the duo works with their coaches at Ice Academy of Montreal to refine their vision.
“We always try different ideas and themes,” Marie-Jade shared. “For the Western free dance, we didn’t just listen to movie scores; we explored Western show music and Cirque du Soleil to broaden our horizon. The music evolves continuously on the ice as the coaches bring their perspectives.”
Their storytelling gains depth from the specialists they work with. “Emilie (Josset), our theater coach, is great at creating characters and backstories,” said Marie-Jade. “Eva (Airapetian), our ballet teacher, helps us dig deeper into themes. For this year’s free dance, she explored the law versus freedom theme: Is the law always right, or is freedom sometimes?”.
Romain elaborated, “Marie-Jade is the sheriff, representing law, and I’m the bad guy, representing freedom. But is he really bad?”
“When we build a program, we know the tools and team we have,” Romain concluded. “Each person brings their expertise to add another layer, making the story richer and more complete.”
Their creative approach extends beyond their performances. “We try to share this process with young skaters we coach now,” said Marie-Jade. “It’s important for them to bring something to the table. It’s hard to skate on something imposed on you. Researching and believing in the music makes a difference. It helps you connect to the program and bring out that deeper performance, especially when the technical part is already there.”
After the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted their routines in 2020, Marie-Jade and Romain made the decision to switch from representing France to Canada. The move became a catalyst for reigniting their passion for skating. Reflecting on the transition, Romain explained, “During the pandemic, everybody questioned themselves because we had time; everything stopped. We had already done five or six seasons together, every competition we could have done – Europeans, Worlds, Olympics. We looked at that and saw that something was missing at that point. We were not aligned with our values.”
Logistically, the constant travel between France and Canada was costly and left little time for quality interactions with their family in France. Marie-Jade explained: “When you train in a country you don’t represent, it’s incredibly challenging. Making the switch really allowed us to feel the values we were talking about. Everything was in place. One of our core values is family and now we see our family in France with more quality time. Before, it was always on the go: competition, maybe one day to visit, and then back. Now we’re more relaxed and can truly enjoy those moments.”
The resources available in Canada also played a key role in their growth as athletes and individuals. “The team around us – physios, mental coaches, physical trainers – we have access to so many great resources,” said Marie-Jade. “It’s not just about becoming better skaters; we’re becoming better people. They’re building the whole picture, giving us skills beyond skating, which helps prepare us for life after the sport.”
For Romain, the decision to represent Canada has been transformative. “We’re proud of what we achieved skating for France; it’s part of our story,” he acknowledged. “But what keeps us competing now is the support we’ve found in Quebec and Canada. We’re still learning so much from the incredible people we’re surrounded by. That’s why we’re still here today, and as long as we’re learning, we’ll keep going.”
As Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac continue their journey as professional ice dancers, their off-ice priorities reflect a balanced and thoughtful approach to life beyond competition. “For now, at the beginning of the year, we both took a break – me from my studies and Romain from osteopathy – to fully immerse ourselves in the off-ice training opportunities we had access to,” Marie-Jade shared. “I’ll go back to school in December, but coaching remains an integral part of our daily routine. It’s important to us to give back and share what we’ve learned, as it’s also a way for us to keep learning.” Both emphasize the importance of having a “plan B”, not just for themselves but also for the younger skaters they mentor.
Romain echoed this sentiment, reflecting on how their families instilled the value of preparation. “Both of our families were aligned in ensuring we have a plan B. That’s why we’re still here today; knowing there’s something after skating gives us peace of mind,” he said. He also highlighted their openness to new experiences, recalling a post-pandemic collaboration with Montreal’s “Circus des 7 doigts de la main”. “It was a great experience, and we’re open to shows like Cirque du Soleil in the future. For now, though, we’re living fully as professional athletes for the first time, with a schedule that’s aligned with recovery, nutrition, and training.”
This decision to focus fully on skating is a shift from their usual balance of athletics and other commitments. “It was a bit of a change for us,” Romain admitted. “We’ve always had something on the side, but we realized this might be our only chance to go all in as full-time athletes. We want to look back and say, ‘We gave it everything.’”
For Marie-Jade, this approach ensures they can skate without fear of the future. “Knowing we have something waiting for us after skating means we’re not here because we have to be; we’re here because we still find joy in it,” she explained.
For Lauriault & Le Gac, this season’s primary goal is to secure a spot on the Canadian world team. The duo takes it one season at a time, reevaluating their priorities regularly. “Each year, we ask ourselves, ‘Where am I in my life? Is this where I want to be?’” Marie-Jade said. “It’s an exercise that has allowed us to keep skating longer while staying true to our evolving goals.”
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